How early do you head out on a trip?

[Big Dan]

The last two times I've gone camping I have set my alarm for 2.am and left town by 3. One trip was Ocean Tears, It was a five and a half hour drive. pulled up at the camp ground at 8:30 am. Last weekend I went to salmon la sac camp ground, a 3 hour drive. I had a reservation but left early to get a spot for some friends. I got up and left the same time and I got there just before 6.am. Its nice to travel early when its cool out and the trafic is good. So when do you normaly leave.

[parnold]

Most of my trips are close enough, I leave after traffic, 9 to 10 am and get there early afternoon. When I did my 13 hour drive, I left around 7 am, and I was lucky enough to be driving the opposite way of most of the traffic.

[boomboomtulum]

Our trips are always 3 hrs at the most. We will leave 7 - 8 hit starbucks get gas and be on the road arrive 10:30 - 11, Most campgrouds we visit have a check in at 2 so we always check if we can get in early, new rule for Cal. state campgrounds no early check in's so we do other things while waiting. My wife will leave early as we do but I am ready to go at the crack of, so I always get " dont rush me" she does not ever forget anything so I try to be patient.
Dave

[Verna]

I load up everything but the cooler the night before so I can leave after the morning rush -- 9 am or so. Easier to pull a TTT without all of the bumper-to-bumper traffic getting out of town. Gives me an excuse to fish before the check-in time.

Verna

[PKCSPT]

Soon as I get up with no alarm. Usually on the road by 8 a.m.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Depends on how far away the trip is, and if I can get off work on Friday or not.

I LOVE 3 day weekends, so if I can get off work on Friday, I'll leave Thursday night as soon as I can get out of the office. Otherwise I have to wait until Friday after work.

[Roly Nelson]

My "trips" here in So Calif, usually are only 45 minutes to an hour away. Since arriving anytime before noon is frowned upon, I usually hook up the rig, mid morning, load up some grub and stop for ice on the way to the CG. Excaping up into the local mountains is my choice and usually is worth a one or two day stay.

Attending far-away gatherings, 1000 miles or so, is a different story. Out early, grab B fast 2 hours out, stop for a late lunch and settle in at a 1/2-way campground about dinner time. Oh, it is so nice not to have to look for a motel and sleep in someone elses stinking bed. I bring my own.........not a stinking one, that is, then finish the trip to the gathering, similar to the day before.
Roly ~~

[eaglesdare]

wow, looks like i am a late starter. most of my trips are over 5 hours, the longest so far was 7 hours. i usually arrive around midnight.
but if i am lucky enough to leave earlier, it is always after rush hour, 10am ish. but seriously that is very rare.

[len19070]

The absolute first moment I can!

Happy Trails

Len

[Dale M.]

I like to leave at appropriate time as so I can be in camp (and set up) by mid afternoon... I always wonder about people cruising through campground after dark looking for a spot and spending next two hours trying to set up camp ( if there is one available) and they even have to borrow a lantern or flashlight because theirs is buried some place in the pile of gear and they cant find it in the dark...

Dale

[bobhenry]

I like to leave at appropriate time as so I can be in camp (and set up) by mid afternoon... I always wonder about people cruising through campground after dark looking for a spot and spending next two hours trying to set up camp ( if there is one available) and they even have to borrow a lantern or flashlight because theirs is buried some place in the pile of gear and they cant find it in the dark...

Dale

I know him ! Yep we all jump out with our flashlights and illuminate his back up path so he can get in without hitting the trees!

It was so notorious he finally installed back up lights on the trailer !

Really he DID this past winter !

[Aaron Coffee]

Depends on the trip, if just going to the nearest state park(about 30 miles) might leave right after work(4:00pm) if it is a longer trip, then I like to say that I'm leaving at 6am, usually give myself and others about an hour window, to wake up, pack last minute items, turn around 3 times cause somebody forgot something. So I usually plan for being an hour behind. Traffic around here is not much of an issue, road construction is the big delay here.